How It Works

History of Teacher’s Fund

Teacher’s Fund was created to help Santa Barbara County teachers purchase resources, supplies and materials needed for classrooms and students. Teacher’s Fund has granted more than $1.2 million dollars to Santa Barbara County public and private transitional kindergarten through high school teachers.

In 2002, Renee Grubb and Ed Edick, the owners of Village Properties established The Village Properties Teacher’s Fund. Village Properties and several of the company’s real estate agents were the sole donors for many years. Recognizing the desire to support teachers was a shared mission in the community, Village Properties began encouraging others to join in supporting the nonprofit organization.

Today, the non-profit’s mission and reputation are solidly established. Now known as Teacher’s Fund, the organization continues to be a strong and vibrant 501(c)3, with major funding from Village Properties, their real estate agents, and many businesses, individuals and foundations.

How It Works

Teachers apply online by completing the application form here. There are new guidelines: Teachers may submit only one application per grant cycle. Grant requests should not exceed $1,000, and grants for $1,000 are very rare.

Teacher’s Fund gives grants to teachers for materials such as books, art supplies, dictionaries, classroom rugs, science, math and reading materials, storage and organization tools, and electronics to name a few examples.

The grant cycle is August 1 through April 30. Requests must be received by the last day of the month to be considered for the upcoming month’s grants. For example if a request is received on November 1, it is considered during the December grant meeting. Grant requests are reviewed, and notification emails are sent monthly during the grant cycle.

If you have trouble with the online application, please contact Nicole Ling at Nicole.r.ling@gmail.com or (805) 403-2544.

Once teacher’s receive notification, they purchase the item(s) requested and submit receipt(s) for reimbursement. Hard copy or electronic receipts along with the notification letter must be submitted within 45 days to Nicole.r.ling@gmail.com. Or mail the information to: